MiCT Fellowship for Critical Voices
Since 2022, the MiCT Fellowship for Critical Voices has provided essential support for at-risk journalists and media professionals from crisis and conflict regions, enabling them to continue their vital work. The programme forms part of the Hannah Arendt Initiative as well as the Journalists in Distress Network.
The Fellowship for Critical Voices provides holistic and immediate protection in seven areas or modules:
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Ensuring the safety of Fellows and their families through country-specific security provisions, safe houses, and a digital security curriculum.
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Providing stipends to help Fellows investigate career options in journalism and media production, as well as business opportunities in the media market.
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Offering psychosocial and health support, including counseling, to help Fellows cope with the challenges of living in exile or in conflict and crisis affected areas. Providing health insurance for illness and injury.
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Providing information to help Fellows settle and integrate more easily into their new environment, reducing individual suffering and ensuring a faster continuation of their work.
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Offering professional training to help Fellows acquire new skills and knowledge, improving their position in the media market and career prospects. Providing co-working and office space for networking and collaboration, as well as production grants to facilitate the production of high-quality information.
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Strengthening the community of Fellows to provide social support, peer-to-peer up-skilling
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Providing resettlement support to ensure the survival and safe passage of vulnerable Fellows and their families.
THE FELLOWSHIP AT A GLANCE
+800 journalists and media makers supported from +20 countries
7 media hubs and co-working spaces
+1,600 psychosocial support sessions
+380 legal consultations
104 fellows successfully relocated
+380 journalistic trainings
+60 units of technical equipment provided
*Since 2022
“While in Chiang Mai, I received enormous support from the Fellowship, which didn’t only benefit me, but indirectly my colleagues at the radio station. I feel it was real community support to continue our work,” Fellow from Myanmar
“The safe house has become a beacon of hope, a lifeline during the darkest times. It is a sanctuary where we can work without fear. It provides a conducive environment for work and study. Basic amenities like internet allow me to stay connected, it also gives me the peace to introspect, regroup and rethink my future,” Fellow from Sudan
A GLOBAL NETWORK OF HUBS
The project also counts with a network of seven media hubs and co-working spaces in Germany (Berlin, Brandenburg), Ukraine (Kyiv), Kenya (Nairobi), Thailand (Chiang Mai and Mae Sot), and Tunisia (Tunis).
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
The Fellowship has also supported the research and publication of reports and studies, focusing on the role of journalists working in countries that the project supports. These publications provide critical insight into the resilience and support needs of journalists operating in crisis zones, advocating for increased assistance and awareness to help these individuals continue their invaluable work.
Access to such varied information is pivotal for both national and international audiences: journalism not only holds people accountable, but helps societies be informed, make decisions and thrive. The Fellowship remains dedicated to empowering media professionals so they can continue their essential work. Here are some of the publications from our Fellows:
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